Shweta Taneja is an author, scriptwriter, graphic novelist
and journalist. Her published works include The Ghost Hunters of Kurseong,
Krishna: Defender of Dharma and The Skull Rosary along with various short
pieces of fiction and non-fiction. Her aim is to prod and pry the peculiar
and the odd, and to break preconceived notions about paranormal and
supernatural with her books. Her upcoming novel, Cult of Chaos is a detective
fantasy based in Delhi and releases in November
2014. Connect with her online at www.staneja.com.
Your real name and
pen name?
Shweta Taneja, no pen name.
Please share some of
the best memories of your childhood
I used to sit with my cousins and tell them scary stories
when electricity would go off in summer holidays. I still remember their feared
expression while I write my current thrillers!
About your education
I did my bachelors and masters in English from Delhi
University. I also have a diploma in fashion communication from NIFT. My real
education has been during my professional life while interacting with all kinds
of people and listening to their stories.
What career did you
plan during your education days
Nothing! All I knew was what I didn’t want to do. I didn’t
want to become the usual Indian engineer or doctor. I did think about teaching
sometimes. I still do.
What languages you can speak and write?
English and Hindi.
What is your biggest
source of inspiration in life
Stories. Of all kinds. Factual stories that come out in
newspapers, oral stories which I collect while travelling and speaking to
people, experienced in architect, history, dance, culture and things. Stories
written in novels, plays, played out in dramas, in serials, in movies, and in
dance forms.
What is the biggest
challenge you have faced? How did you overcome it?
In terms of my writing experiences so far, the biggest
challenge I’ve faced is in completing a novel. I was not really sure I could
write a whole book. I had already failed on one book which had died on me and
was left unfinished (still is). So when I started to write The Ghost Hunters of
Kurseong, I was facing crippling self-doubt and fears all the way. Mostly it
was just dogged stubbornness which made me write. I divided the book into
scenes and decided to write a complete scene in one week, no matter what. I
wrote paragraph by paragraph, scene by scene, chapter by chapter per week and
had finished my book in six months. Now I’ve already completed three whole
novels using the same process. Write everyday!
What is your favorite
genre and why?
Speculative fiction be it fantasy or science fiction remain
my ever favourites. I think in both genres through other creatures,
supernatural or natural, alternative worlds, we try and look critically into
our world. That still fascinates me.
What is the purpose
of your writing?
To make entertaining stories that make people believe in
magic and give them a glazed look in their eyes by the end of it.
Which of your work
has been published so far? Would you like to share a synopsis of your work?
The Ghost Hunters of
Kurseong - 2013
'The Ghost Hunters of Kurseong is a crisp, mysterious tale,
which unravels through a web of mystery, deceit, hoaxes and supernatural
events.” reviews Business Standard. The ghostly thriller is set in the
hills, and follows the adventures of three friends, Kartik, Opus and Tashi as
they try to find out the mystery behind the haunted Iyer bungalow.
Krishna Defender of
Dharma (graphic novel with Rajesh N) - 2012
A classic retelling of Krishna’s story, this graphic novel
amalgamates stories from Bhagawata Purana, Hari Vamsa, Mahabharata and folk
tales of the favourite blue hero of Indian mythology. The book has become part
of the CBSE’s Must Read List for schools. Pick this whopper up for the
awe-inspiring art by Rajesh Nagulakonda.
The Skull Rosary
(graphic novel with various artists) - 2013
Comprising of five short comics, The Skull Rosary is a black
and white book with retellings of dark tales from Linga Purana (older form of
Shiva Purana). It was nominated in the Best Writer and Best Cover categories in
Comic Con India 2013.
What are your
forthcoming writings?
Cult of Chaos, Book 1
of Anantya Tantrist mysteries
Release: November 2014. Harper Collins India
Anantya
Tantrist is the heroine of my upcoming novel Cult of Chaos, which is
a detective fantasy. She is a sassy, bad-mouthed, independent 23-year-old who
walks on the streets of Delhi at night, solving supernatural crime. In
Cult of Chaos, she investigates a grisly case of girl sacrifices in the city.
The book releases in November 2014 by Harper Collins India
What genres you write
in and why?
As I mentioned above, I mostly write in speculative fiction,
be it for children or adults. I am thoroughly curious about human nature and
how it would interact with the paranormal and supernatural. Also how the
‘others’ and our behavior with them reflects who we are.
What keeps you
motivating towards writing?
I keep thinking I will quit after this book, join a job to
earn wadloads of money and then by the time I finish writing ‘this’ book, I get
an idea about another one.
How do you plan,
schedule and monitor your writing commitments?
I divide the whole plot by scenes and write one every
working week. If a scene is not finished by the end of the week, I get homework
for weekends. I am quite strict with my writing deadlines but easy when it
comes to editing.
What are your future
plans?
To keep travelling and listen to more and more stories! Oh
and write more stories too!
What four top most
things you take care of while writing a book?
- It
should be a strong story
- It
should have surprises and twists and page turners
- It
should never be edited (ever) when I am writing it
- Once
finished, it should be edited again and again and again
How much real life
goes into a fiction writing?
A lot. Many of my scenes are inspired by stories I find in
the newspaper or things I listen to from other people. Even though I write fantasy, I base my
writings in the human experience.
Is high level of
imagination important to have for an Author?
Everyone is imaginative, but very few nurture their
imagination like it were a child. You need to open the door of creativity in
your head, call to the muses, wait patiently, clean the door everyday to make
sure it opens smoothly. I am more imaginative now than when I began writing.
That’s because I continuously write and oil the door, trying to carve more and
more windows so more muses come in.
Your dream
destination on Earth?
Patala. I would love to explore it someday.
Your origin of birth
and other countries you have visited/ stayed.
India.
Your favorite time of
the day?
Early morning, when my head is brimming with ideas.
Your zodiac/ sunsign?
Libra/Virgo cusp
Your favorite color
and why?
Orange and yellow. I love warm colours you can cuddle to.
What is the last book
you finished reading? What is the current book you are reading?
I read a collection of feminist science fiction called A
Woman’s Liberation. Now I am reading another of collections in the same genre
called Women of Wonder.
Some quickies:
Moon, Laughter, Evening, Coffee and tea, Mountains and sea,
Long drive, silence and conversation, water, air, red, left.
What three words come
to your mind for each –
Technology: Magic
Life: Breathing
God: Kali
Humanity: Kindness
Terrorism: Darkness
Racism: Hate
Childhood Abuse: Power
Love: Selfless
Parenting: Responsibility
Old age: Calm
Twitter handle: @shwetawrites
Facebook page: Facebook.com/shwetawrites
Goodreads author page: Goodreads.com/shwetawrites
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.in/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=shweta%20taneja
Website: www.staneja.com
Connect with Anantya
Tantrist here:
Blog: Tantrist.tumblr.com
Facebook, Twitter: @anantyatantrist
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